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Laura Figi

Senior Newsletter Editor

Laura Figi has called Austin home for more than 12 years and has been known to say it’s her “favorite city in the world.” A proud graduate of Texas State University, she’s been working in local news since 2020. When she’s not working and learning about the community, you can find her at the local thrift shop, spending time with her two cats, or listening to live music.

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A vintage-style red neon sign for the Austin Motel stands against a partly cloudy sky. Below the main sign, a marquee board displays the message "LET'S AMPLIFY AUSTIN Y'ALL." A covered entrance with colorful neon lights and a small "VACANCY" sign is visible in the foreground.
City
How to give back during Amplify Austin Day 2026
Amplify Austin Day gives Central Texas residents a seamless way to support the community and nonprofits of their choice during this 24-hour event.
February 24, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Building with a vibrant, vertical rainbow mural on the corner, surrounded by city structures. A parking sign in the foreground points left. Clear sky.
City
Downtown Austin Alliance debuts free parking pilot program
Austinites patronizing participating businesses can get free or discounted parking in two Downtown garages now through the end of April.
February 23, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A softly lit room set up for a yoga class with green yoga mats.
Business
Shop around the block: LOUtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
February 23, 2026
 · 
Declan Lowthian
Elegant dining room with plush chairs around square tables, set for a meal. Large windows with golden drapes, and crystal chandeliers hang above.
Culture
Restaurant Roundup: New and coming-soon restaurants in Austin
Dining in ATX is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
February 23, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
girlsgirlsgirls Burrito's owner and operator Sara Wood holds a blue bike in front of a colorful wall in Lexington, Kentucky
Local love: LEXtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
February 20, 2026
 · 
Alexis Baker
A hand holds a vibrant cross-stitch depicting a witch and a haunted house against a blue, starry sky, bordered with green polka dots. Vinyl records form a colorful background.
Culture
Needlepoint is back: Here’s how to try it in Austin
Needlepoint is one of the biggest “analog hobby” trends. Here’s where to learn and meet other stitchers.
February 19, 2026
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
Three frozen margaritas with limes as garnish in pink cups that read "De Nada It's Nothin."
Food
Delicious margarita deals for National Margarita Day
Sip your way through these salty, tangy, and refreshing local specials for National Margarita Day.
February 19, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Black-eyed Susan
Travel and Outdoors
Become an expert on native flowers
Keep local love growing this spring with local plants.
February 18, 2026
 · 
Dayten Rose
A small orange camper filled with plants, with succulents outside
Business
Local love: LALtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
February 18, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Storefront of Naughty Cat Cafe with a logo of a masked cat. Signs display "30 cats inside" and "Not a strip club," next to a neon "Open" sign.
Small Business
Local love: NOOGAtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
February 17, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A wide-angle view of an empty soccer stadium with vibrant green seats and a well-manicured grass field under a clear blue sky. The stadium's modern architecture features large metal beams supporting a partially covered roof. A digital scoreboard displaying event branding and sponsor logos is visible in the background. Sunlight casts long shadows across the field, emphasizing the open-air structure.
Sports
The return of El Tree: Everything to know about the 2026 Austin FC season
Get the ultimate Austin FC playbook, including the schedule, where + how to watch, game day eats, and how to make the best of your trip to Q2 Stadium.
February 17, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Eight matchbooks with varied designs, featuring logos and text from different restaurants and locations, are displayed evenly on a blue background.
Where to collect matchbooks in Charleston
Dip your toes into “phillumeny,” aka the practice of collecting matchbooks, while you explore CHS and support local businesses at the same time.
February 17, 2026
 · 
Callie Putnam
ATX_MatthewMcConaugheyTexts
Culture
iMcConaughey: Bite-sized wisdom to start your day
One of Austin’s most famous A-listers is known for sharing a few words of encouragement on Instagram, so we put together our favorites for you.
February 16, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Luxurious mansion at dusk with elegant arches, balconies, and a sweeping pool reflecting warm lights. Situated on a lush hillside, exuding opulence and grandeur.
Real Estate
Step inside some of the most expensive home listings in Austin
These mansions are on the market right now, so you can dare to dream about living in some of Austin’s nicest homes.
February 12, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Soda City Market-4243.png
Small Business
Local love: COLAtoday’s guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Put your money where your community is and help us create a guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local spots and sharing this page with a friend.
February 12, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
The Spurs mascot waves a large, black flag with a team logo on a darkened basketball court, set against a crowd in the stands.
Sports
San Antonio Spurs host fourth annual Spurs Week festivities
Whether or not you have tickets to the upcoming I-35 Series games, the San Antonio Spurs are inviting Austinites to get in on the action during Spurs Week.
February 11, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A spread of sashimi dishes from above on a dark wooden table, surrounded by cocktails, beer, a glass of wine, dishes of soy sauce and plates with chopsticks on top.
Food
28 places to get sushi in the Austin area
Whether you’re looking for omakase, sake pairings, a sushi conveyor belt, a whimsical interior, or an “Ahi Tower,” we’ve got the restaurant for you.
February 10, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Elegant dining room with plush chairs around square tables, set for a meal. Large windows with golden drapes, and crystal chandeliers hang above.
Food
Persian restaurant Roya opening this month
Chef-owner Amir Hajimaleki has been honing the concept through local pop-ups since 2018 with plans to showcase the Persian “art of hospitality.”
February 5, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Matthew McConaughey wears a plaid red suit in front of a wall for the Washington Commanders.
Sports
A brief history of Austin celebrity Super Bowl commercial appearances
As you watch the 2026 Super Bowl, keep watch for a few familiar, local faces that will make a cameo during the commercials.
February 5, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_Olympic Torch Relay Celebration Cauldron 3.jpeg
Sports
Meet the four 2026 Winter Olympians from Texas
Cheer on Team USA at this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan, where four talented Texans will compete for the gold.
February 4, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_GoldenCheekedWarbler
Travel and Outdoors
Get outside in ATX for The Great Backyard Bird Count
The annual Great Backyard Bird Count attracts more than one million people nationwide to help record the bird population.
February 4, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A café-like interior with warm lighting, featuring brown leather seating, wooden tables, metal chairs, and lush green plants.
Business
Switchyards to open second ‘neighborhood work club’ in east Austin, with more on the way
The company will drop 350 new memberships with the opening of its second workspace, a former auto repair shop, in March.
February 2, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_Kinsho
Food
The team behind Rocco’s Italian opening sushi restaurant
From restaurateur duo Nick Ford and Wade McElroy, Kinsho is set to open on Rainey Street in March with an 18-seat sushi bar.
February 2, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_TheMacKenzieClub
Sports
Trio of new golf hubs coming to the Austin area
Austin’s golf scene has a handful of new additions opening this year, so it’s time to break out the clubs and hit the green.
January 29, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
A group of people crowded around a small pen for Armadillo Day
History
You’ve heard of Groundhog Day — but what about Armadillo Day?
We do things a little differently in the Lone Star State.
January 29, 2026
 · 
London Gibson
An elegant spread of vibrant dishes from Ema restaurant, featuring a variety of colorful plates, including salads, roasted vegetables, and entrees artfully arranged on patterned and decorative tableware. The meal includes fresh bread, appetizers, and cocktails, all displayed on a light wood table.
Food
Ēma will open at Domain NORTHSIDE this weekend
A sister restaurant to Aba, Ēma will be helmed by “Top Chef Duels” winner Chef CJ Jacobson and feature Mediterranean flavors.
January 28, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
The spurs coyote waves to the crowd in a close-up.
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Austin
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
January 27, 2026
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
ATX_ParkerScott
Business
Keep Austin local: A growing guide to reader-recommended small businesses
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
January 26, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_book woman
Play
Read local: Books written by authors from Austin
Don’t forget to treat your shelf by picking up a new read — or two or three — that was written by your neighbor.
January 22, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
Four colorful cocktails on a wooden table, including a dark purple drink in a tall glass with a pink straw, a clear gin and tonic garnished with lemon, rosemary, and juniper berries, a golden drink with a lemon slice, and a pink cocktail with a salted rim and watermelon garnish.
Food
Meet the 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists from Austin
The 2026 James Beard Award season is upon us, and Austin has nine restaurants + foodies vying for a trophy.
January 21, 2026
 · 
Laura Figi
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